World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day 2019

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World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day 2019

One Step at a Time with World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day 2019

World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day 2019 will be held on May 4th and is the perfect opportunity for sufferers of the disease to connect with each other and raise awareness. Also known as WAS Day, the event is organised by the ASIF.

AS sufferers will know all too well, Ankylosing spondylitis is a kind of arthritis that particularly affects the spine. Among the symptoms of this disease are pain and stiffness that run all the way from the neck downwards to the lower back. Although people who suffer from this condition often find walking difficult, it is essential to take part in gentle walks each day to relieve the stiffness.

The theme of World Ankylosing Spondylitis Day 2018 was Walk AS One, which encouraged people suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis to embark on walks in scenic settings and to take part in the Selfie Challenge as part of Walk Your A.S Off. People who took part in the Selfie Challenge took selfies during their walk and posted the photos on Instagram.

A huge number of people from different countries around the world took part in the event in 2017 and more than a thousand photos were shared on Instagram. While walking is something that many people take for granted, the photos clearly demonstrated the challenge that this everyday task poses to Ankylosing Spondylitis sufferers. The feeling of accomplishment that the photos captured also serve as an inspiration to Ankylosing Spondylitis sufferers who find it hard to leave the house and push people to set themselves goals.